APC Chieftain Urges Tinubu to Block Mamman’s Ban on Under-18s Taking WAEC, NECO

A prominent member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Ambassador Abayomi Nurain Mumuni, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and prevent the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, from enforcing a ban on students under 18 from taking the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) exams.

Mumuni warned that the proposed ban could have detrimental effects on students and the education system. He voiced his concerns in a statement issued to NIGERIA NEWS 247 on Wednesday.

According to reports, Mamman has proposed that only candidates aged 18 and above should be admitted into tertiary institutions, instructing examination bodies to deny underage students access to their exams.

In response, Mumuni, through his media aide Rasheed Abubakar, urged President Tinubu to halt the implementation of this policy. He argued that the ban would negatively impact students, delaying their educational and career progress and increasing their stress levels.

Mumuni stated, “I urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prevent the minister from enforcing this detrimental policy. It will harm students more than it will benefit them. By restricting under-18 students from taking WASSCE, we risk impeding their educational advancement and delaying their entry into higher education or vocational training.”

He continued, “This policy could lead to higher dropout rates as younger students may lose motivation if they are unable to take their exams. It will also have psychological and social impacts, increasing stress and feelings of inadequacy among students who are eager to continue their education.”

Mumuni also highlighted the potential for delayed career aspirations, noting that the restriction could create additional competition among older candidates, making it more challenging for them to secure spots in higher education.